Creating new, lifelong memories for families is the mission of a Gainesville native who prides herself on helping people live out their traveling dreams.

Kenya Ellis is the owner of Travel By Kenya and an independent travel agent. 

Ellis was born and raised in Gainesville. The Gainesville High School graduate went on to earn an associate's degree from Santa Fe College in early childhood education. She created Travel By Kenya in October 2022 after her friend Kista King introduced her to the business model.

"She told me that as much as my family and I travel, I might as well do it and get paid while doing so," Ellis said.

"My ultimate goal is to continue creating generational wealth for my children and grandchildren," said Ellis, the mother of eight and grandmother of nine. "I say continue because four of my children currently have businesses and I had a family child-care business that I ran for over 25 years before I closed it in 2012."

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Travel By Kenya is a home-based business in Gainesville that allows Ellis to work remotely, she said.

"As long as I have a laptop, phone or tablet with internet access, I can make dreams come true anywhere at any time," Ellis said. "I help plan fun, personalized and exciting trips based on my clients' budget, maximizing discounts that offer the opportunity for luxury travel."

Ellis arranges trips for individuals and groups for family reunions, parties, business meetings, youth programs, church programs, weddings and more, she said. 

She sells transportation accommodations, tours and attraction admission to leisure and corporate clients, too.

"I act as an intermediary between travelers and travel suppliers, such as airlines, hotels, car rental companies and tour operators," Ellis said. "I book domestic and international travel experiences. Many of the trips I book are all-inclusive."

Ellis offers recommendations about vaccinations required for foreign travel, helps to organize visas and passports for clients, and ensures they have all the proper documentation they need for their trip, she said. She also offers notary services if needed.

"I have met too many families that have said that they have never been able to afford a family vacation," Ellis said. "They have worked all their lives, making sure their children's basic needs and educational needs were met, bills were paid, but unfortunately never been able to go beyond Gainesville or the current city or state they live in."

Ellis said her passion is to assist families to create new memories by traveling.

"I have always felt that it is just as important to take care of your family's mental and emotional needs just as much as you do all their other needs," Ellis said.

Her goal is to book trips that her clients can afford.

"One would think that I would try to book the biggest most expensive trip for families, but honestly, for me, it's the meaningful personalized most cost-effective trips that bring me the most joy," Ellis said. "I do get clients where budget is not an issue and I give them the same personalized treatment as well."

One of Ellis' daughters who is a student assistant to Monique Vickers at Pensacola State College recommended Vickers use her mother's services to book a trip."I knew I could relax because she would be very helpful and knowledgeable about vacation planning, so that would save me time and aggravation," Vickers said. "Kenya was very knowledgeable and she was able to answer all of our questions related to our vacation. She took care of everything and she even had a surprise waiting for us when we arrived at the resort. 

Ellis booked a trip for Vickers and her husband Victor Vickers to Jamaica in March of this year and then an anniversary trip to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, two weeks ago.

"Traveling exposes myself, and my husband, to new things, people, food and different cultures," Monique Vickers said.

Ellis said the couple has since passed her information to family and friends. 

"I want my customers to truly understand how important it is to take time out to enjoy life," Ellis said. "We are so focused on taking care of everybody and everything that we forget to take care of ourselves. We forget to truly live."

For more information, visit https://kenyaellis.inteletravel.com/booktravel.cfm or email [email protected].